U.S. Inflation Calculator
See how the buying power of the U.S. dollar has changed between any two years, using official BLS CPI-U data back to 1913.
Formula
About this calculator
This inflation calculator measures how prices have changed in the United States using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), the most widely cited gauge of consumer inflation. Enter an amount, the year it was spent, and the year you want to compare against, and the tool converts it into the equivalent purchasing power using the ratio of the two years' annual-average index values.
Every figure comes from the official BLS series CUUR0000SA0 (U.S. city average, all items, 1982–84 = 100), covering annual averages from 1913 through the latest full year. Because the calculation is a simple ratio of published index numbers, the result is fully traceable back to the source rather than an estimate.
Cumulative inflation tells you the total percentage change in prices over the span, while the average annual rate expresses that same change as a compound yearly figure — useful for comparing periods of different lengths or for benchmarking a salary, rent, or investment return against the cost of living.
For projecting future costs or growing savings, pair this with the compound interest and retirement calculators; to compare take-home pay across years, use the take-home pay calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the data come from?
From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U series (CUUR0000SA0), using annual-average index values. It is the same data behind most published U.S. inflation figures.
Why use annual averages instead of a specific month?
Annual averages smooth out month-to-month seasonal swings and are the standard basis for year-over-year inflation comparisons. This makes results stable and comparable across long spans.
What does '1982–84 = 100' mean?
The CPI is an index, not a dollar value. The 1982–84 base period is set to 100, and every other year is expressed relative to it. The calculator only uses the ratio between two years, so the base period cancels out.
Does this predict future inflation?
No. It reflects actual, historical CPI-U data. For forward-looking estimates, use a savings or retirement calculator with an assumed inflation rate.
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⚠️ Results are based on published BLS CPI-U annual averages and are for informational purposes only. Actual price changes for specific goods, regions, or households may differ from the national average.